PM Session Reversal Model
Also: PM Reversal Model, PM Session Reversal, 2 PM Model, 2 O'Clock Macro Reversal
Visual Context Required
This concept requires chart visuals for full understanding.
The PM Session Reversal Model is an intraday model that exploits price over-extension during the New York PM session. When price has been trending (bullish or bearish) all day and is approaching or has reached a higher timeframe premium or discount array, the model anticipates a reversal during the PM window (approximately 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM ET / RTH close). Bearish variant (most commonly taught): If price has been bullish during the AM session and runs above an old high (buy-side liquidity) during the midday or early PM, the model looks for: 1. A fair value gap left at or above the old high (this gap becomes an inversion level once traded through). 2. Price to reject at the inversion FVG or higher-timeframe resistance. 3. A retracement targeting the "lunch hour lows" — the lowest point made between approximately 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM (the quiet midday consolidation). The "2 o'clock macro" (occurring around 2:00 PM ET) is a recurring algorithmic price delivery window that frequently triggers the reversal move. The PM session window for range measurement is 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM (RTH), providing the high-to-low range of the afternoon delivery.
Identification6
- Price has been trending directionally during the AM session (9:30 AM–12:00 PM).
- Price runs liquidity above an old high (bullish day) or below an old low (bearish day) at some point during the day.
- An imbalance (FVG) is created at or around the liquidity run level; once price trades through it, this FVG inverts to become resistance (bearish) or support (bullish).
- Identify the lunch hour range high and low (approximately 11:30 AM–1:30 PM) — these levels become intraday targets.
- The 2:00 PM macro window provides a high-probability time for the reversal trigger to manifest.
- PM session range for reference: 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM ET; note the high and low of this range.
Entry3
- Enter on a lower-timeframe (1m–5m) shift in market structure within the PM window (1:30–4:00 PM), using any ICT entry model (FVG, order block, breaker).
- The 2–3 PM Silver Bullet window provides a refined entry trigger within the broader PM session reversal context.
- The inversion FVG from the AM session liquidity run is a key entry zone for the reversal.
Stop2
- Above the intraday high (for bearish reversal) — above the level where buy-side liquidity was swept.
- Below the intraday low (for bullish reversal).
Target3
- Lunch hour lows (bearish) — the low of the consolidation between approximately 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM.
- Lunch hour highs (bullish) — the high of the midday consolidation.
- PM session equilibrium or opposing PD array within the 1:30–4:00 PM range.
Invalidation3
- Price continues beyond the inversion FVG and makes a new intraday extreme in the original direction — reversal thesis is negated.
- Lunch hour lows (or highs for bearish) have already been taken before the PM session — the retracement target no longer exists.
- Higher-timeframe context does not support a reversal (e.g., price is in a deep discount on HTF — unlikely to reverse bearish).
Inferred Conditions (Unvalidated)
- The model was referenced as being taught in the 2022 ICT YouTube content and confirmed/re-demonstrated in the January 2023 session.
- Works in conjunction with the 2 o'clock macro for timing precision.
- The PM Silver Bullet (2–3 PM window) is the recommended entry trigger within this broader model.
ICT Quotes
""Exactly what I taught how to trade the pm session in the 2022 model on this YouTube channel, targeting those lunch hour lows when you're bearish.""
Timeframes
Version History3 versions
ICT YouTube 2022 Mentorship
Original model definition on ICT YouTube channel.
ICT YT - 2023-01-24 - 2023 Mentorship Price Action Review and PM Session Reversal Model
Reinforced with live NQ/ES example; 'February gap' (intraday inversion FVG) named as a component; 2 o'clock macro identified as trigger.
ICT YT - 2025-02-25 - 2025 Lecture Series - NY Lunch Macro Rules and PM Session and Final RTH Hour Of Trading 02-24-2025.srt
"at 130 to two o'clock in the afternoon Time, Eastern Time. That's your opening range for the pm session. Same thing I taught you to do in the morning session, between 930 and 10 o'clock."
2025 PM SESSION OPENING RANGE FORMALIZED: ICT explicitly names 1:30–2:00 PM ET as the PM Session Opening Range. This mirrors the AM opening range (9:30–10:00 AM) in both structure and trading logic. The first presented FVG from this 30-minute window is the PM session entry signal. MORNING PD ARRAY INVERSION RULE (2025): During the final RTH hour (3:00–4:00 PM ET), all PD arrays that were bullish entry zones during the AM session are now treated as inverted premium arrays on the sell side. Specifically: any FVG or order block that price used as a bullish support in the morning session is now a resistance zone for PM session short entries. This inversion principle applies to the entire set of AM PD arrays, not just a single level. FINAL RTH HOUR (2025): 3:00–4:00 PM ET is the final RTH hour window. ICT uses this for short entries in bearish PM sessions, using the inverted morning PD arrays as the premium resistance zone reference. No material conflict with prior definitions — the 2025 updates add the specific 1:30–2:00 PM opening range window (previously undefined in this YAML) and the morning array inversion rule.
Notes
No material conflict with prior definitions — the 2023 content confirms and elaborates the 2022 model. The 'February gap' referenced in the January 24 2023 transcript refers to an intraday FVG that inverts to become a resistance level after price trades through it — this is an instance of the Inversion FVG concept applied within this model. 2025 PM SESSION OPENING RANGE UPDATE (Feb 25 2025): The PM Session Opening Range is now formally defined as 1:30–2:00 PM ET. This is the PM session equivalent of the AM opening range (9:30–10:00 AM). Trading logic is identical: - Mark the high and low of the 1:30–2:00 PM window. - The first presented FVG forming within or from this range is the PM session entry FVG. - Entries are made on the return to that FVG in the direction of the PM session bias. Previously this YAML referenced "approximately 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM" as the PM session range for reversal context. The 2025 update adds the specific 1:30–2:00 PM OPENING RANGE as a trading window within that broader range. 2025 MORNING ARRAY INVERSION (Feb 25 2025): During 3:00–4:00 PM (final RTH hour), all PD arrays from the AM session (9:30 AM–12:00 PM) are treated as inverted. Bullish AM FVGs become bearish PM resistance. Order blocks that were supports in the morning become resistance in the final hour. This is the mechanism for identifying PM session short setups in a day that was bullish in the AM. See also: time-macros.yaml, market-on-close-macro.yaml, first-presentation-fvg.yaml
Asymmetry Notes
The bearish variant (fading AM bullish run into lunch lows) is the primary teaching example. The 2 o'clock macro provides a precise time anchor for the reversal to begin. ICT notes the PM session window for range purposes is 1:30–4:00 PM, not the 3–4 PM Silver Bullet window — the broader window captures the full afternoon range, while the 2–3 PM Silver Bullet provides the entry.